Office Manager

About The Conversation

The Conversation is an independent provider of news and views, sourced from the academic and research community and delivered directly to the public. Our team of professional editors work with university, and research institute experts to make their knowledge accessible to the public in an accessible manner.

The Conversation is funded by university members, grant and philanthropic sources and reader donations. It is a charity, and operates as a for-purpose, not-for-profit company. Its content is freely available and distributed beyond its website using a Creative Commons licence.

Access to high-quality, accurate and independent information underpins a functioning democracy. Our aim is to ensure better understanding of current affairs and complex issues by publishing explanatory journalism, analysis and reports of research findings produced by academics with recognised expertise. The Conversation aims to enrich public discussion and provide easy access to quality information, with knowledge that can be trusted and information that is useful.

Since our launch in 2013, The Conversation has grown to a staff of 40 and has recently launched a commercial subsidiary, Universal Impact. We are looking for a new Office Manager to manage the day-to-day administrative operations of the company. 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Oversee office operations and procedures for The Conversation, including some limited support for Universal Impact;

• Work with the Chief Executive and Editor to ensure a safe, collegiate and healthy office environment

• Maintain office policies and procedures, updating documentation as needed

• Manage day to day HR activities, scheduling appraisals, managing holiday, staff development

• Support HR functions such as onboarding/offboarding, maintaining employee records, and coordinating staff wellbeing initiatives

• Assist with recruitment processes, including drafting job descriptions, posting vacancies, and coordinating candidate communications 

• Act as secretariat for The Conversation’s various boards, scheduling meetings, distributing papers, and taking accurate minutes

• Plan, schedule and coordinate internal events, team meetings, and staff away days

• Accepting and sorting mail and deliveries

• Supporting the planning of events and supporting office social activities (including team bonding)

• Support the Finance team

• Arrange travel and accommodation for staff as required

• Assisting in ad hoc administration tasks as needed

Requirements/Skills:

• Previous office management experience required

• Previous HR experience desirable 

• Previous experience working for a charity and Trustees desirable but not required

• Excellent organisational skills and ability to adapt to changing priorities

• Project management skills

• Enthusiastic and personable

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to work under own initiative with minimal supervision

• Excellent in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office and IT skills 

Benefits:

• Salary: £34,000 p.a (full time)

• 25 paid holiday days, plus your birthday off

• 8% company pension contribution

• Enhanced parental leave 

• Flexible working - our office is in central London and we expect this role to involve being in the office at least two days a week.

Applications will be accepted and interviewed on a rolling basis. 

We value and respect all differences in all people (seen and unseen) at The Conversation and actively encourage applications from candidates of diverse backgrounds and ethnicities.

You must be legally able to work in the UK.